Address: | 141 Stirling Rd, Watchung, NJ 07069, USA |
Phone: | +1 908-755-9344 |
Site: | visitwaterandwine.com |
Rating: | 4.2 |
Working: | Closed 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–11PM 5–11PM 1–9PM |
TR
trincard
Wow, was planning on eating down the road at Rolfs (what a disaster that was) so ended up leaving there and inadvertently ran across this gem of a restaurant right down the street. We were there around 4:00PM on a Sunday, so it was not very busy. The staff was very pleasant and professional; we even had some nice conversations, especially with our waiter who was a wonderful gentleman named Mariano from El Salvador who works at both this location and the sister restaurant La Griglia in Kenilworth. The staff stood close by (not too close) and was always ready to fill our water glasses or collect our plates when we were finished. The decor is very nice (white tablecloth and napkins), and the ambiance is very appealing as the restaurant is situated right next to Watchung Lake where the geese and ducks swim by as you are dining. The food is AMAZING. They say it is a mix of American and Italian, and I would even venture to say there is a slight French influence as well. The menu and food presentation is very European...we loved it!!! In terms of price point, there are some great options in the $19-$26 price range if you are watching your budget, while the veal/steak options go up to $46. Whatever your budget or whatever occasion you are celebrating, you can find a very delicious meal here! The only issue (and its a minor one) I have is they valet 100% of the time. I can see at night when it may be packed, but we were there with about 4 other customers and they insisted on parking my car. The lots not even that big! I parked in a spot close to the entrance because my Dad has trouble walking, and the guy still insisted I give him my key so he could move my car about 20 feet away after we left...was that really necessary? Oh well, a small inconvenience to pay for such an amazing meal at an amazing restaurant!!!
FO
Foodlover Girl
I went for a nice business dinner a couple of months ago. The "Water" part of the name comes from the fact that it is located by a lake, with a beautiful view of the water. The inside was quite open, with large stone fireplace with some lounge sofas. Across from it was a good size bar with few TV screens. Then it extends into a dining room. I was thinking "it is kind of small..." until it kept going, going, and going. It was so much larger than it looked from the outside, and also from inside at a quick glance. But the dining rooms kept expanding to the side, alongside the lake. This is not considered "cheap eats" spot, but they do offer attractive lunch special, 3-course Prix Fixe menu. From that menu, I ordered Garlic Shrimp, Organic Scottish Salmon, and Mascarpone Cheese Cake. They were good portion, plated nicely, and pretty tasty. I was very full and happy. Overall, we had a nice lunch, lively but quiet enough for business lunch. The staffs were on point, very polite and efficient. Our server was really nice, and he was always around, so that if we needed something, it was easy to catch him. Very good spot for a business lunch or dinner. And the view of the lake gets extra points. Read my full review of this restaurant and food on my food blog, foodlovergirl.
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Rick Porter
We only had to wait a few minutes before a group ahead of us was seated for dinner and we were able to get the sofa near the fireplace - which is quite lovely. We were just there for a glass of wine. The ambiance was very nice. My only complaint was that there was valet-only parking and when the car was returned to be the key fob was not placed into my hands. The key fob was left in the cars console. I never put my keys there - they always go in my pocket. What this resulted in was having my key fob get locked in the car at the next destination. Thank goodness that AAA is as good as it is and the problem was remedied within 20 minutes. But there really should be a policy for valet attendants to place the car key or fob back into the customers hand when giving the car back.
MI
Michelle M
Great place for dinner. However, I was really turned off when I tried to plan an event there. I was really nervous to meet with the manager because I wanted to have my event there so badly. We stopped in and met with him and it couldnt have gone worse. He seemed disinterested in hosting my event, but when I plead to him how special this place was to us he halfheartedly took down my information and promised to call me back after talking to the owner. It has been several weeks and I have not heard from him. He could have at least had the decency to call me back and tell me no. He has turned a place where I celebrated the happiest moment of my life into a place I never want to go back to.
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Beata Pudelko
ok, its Monday and Ive calmed down a bit but, I am still upset after the weekend. Ive been to the restaurant on many occasions and decided to hold a family function there. What a mistake! The waiter who served us was so stuffy and put down my entire family. Ive felt humiliated that weve decided to skip the dessert and just go home and finish the celebration there! Needless to say, I will not be coming back to what was once one of fav restaurants in NJ. The management needs to have a conversation with the wait staff on how to be pleasant or maybe they should let the buss boys to be waiters as they seemed more helpful and pleasant than the wait staff.
TO
Tom Bruning
We went here with my in-laws and had a great time. The only negative was when the reservation was made we were told we had a choice of the lunch or dinner menu. We went on Sunday, reservations at 1pm and we only had a dinner menu. We all did ordered from the pris fixe menu. The appetizers were great. Tuna tartare, stuffed mushroom, and the salad. All had good portions and were tastey. The entrees we had were the beef short ribs, the salmon. All were good portions and also tastey. The desserts were wonderful.
MA
Mary Banto
A little gem of a restaurant over a beautiful lake good for special occasions. Came a few weeks ago and got the three course meal for $38 or $39 – app, entrée, dessert – great food, attentive service, and such a beautiful ambiance. The server was very knowledgeable about the menu & made everything sound delicious (which it was!). The organic salmon was tender and fresh and the crab stuffed mushrooms were quite good too.
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A Private User
This restaurant is fantastic!!!! I had my wedding rehearsal dinner here and I go with my family and we have a wonderful time and the most delicious food!! We are going tonight and I cant wait for the cajun calamari!!!! I have NEVER had a bad meal! From the delicious bread basket to the exquisite desserts this restaurant will never dissappoint!!!!
MA
Mallik Mahankali
We were here for my Wifes Birthday Celebration. Food was bland and not edible.We ordered calamari for appetizer and Tagliatelle, Garganelli Con Porcini for entree and some how they managed to screw up all 3 dishes. How can a chef not even do seasoning properly ??? Atmosphere is good, service is ok. I am not returning or recommending this place ever.